Tourism has officially overtaken gold as Tanzania’s leading source of foreign exchange, marking a significant shift in the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
According to the Bank of Tanzania’s June 2025 Economic Review, tourism generated $3.92 billion in the 12 months ending May 2025—outpacing gold, which earned $3.83 billion during the same period. Tourism now accounts for 55.1% of service-related export earnings, bolstered by international arrivals climbing to over 2.17 million.
This achievement reflects both growing global interest in Tanzania’s iconic attractions and strategic policy interventions. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, the sector has benefited from reforms that enhance operational flexibility. Notably, the central bank granted partial exemptions on foreign exchange controls for tour operators, allowing the use of foreign currency to pay for services on behalf of international visitors and to procure specialized vehicles locally.
These measures underscore Tanzania’s long-term commitment to tourism-led economic diversification. With world-class destinations such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar, and accolades like Africa’s Leading Destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards, the country continues to cement its status as a premier global travel hub.